Donald Ashford continued across Sterling Hall as the guests moved aside for him. The four soldiers behind him wore black uniforms with crimson dragon crests on their collars, but Donald needed no escort to command attention. His long military coat carried the same Inferno Dragon crest across his chest, together with decorations David recognized from national broadcasts.“That's really Donald Ashford,” a man at the nearest table whispered. “He led the Red Valley operation last year. They said his unit was surrounded for almost nine hours.”Another guest shook his head. “You heard only half of it. Three hundred soldiers were trapped beyond the eastern passage. Donald broke through the enemy line and brought them back. He also defeated a terrifying Taken Dragon commander in single combat.”David heard every word, but his attention remained on Janet. She had pulled her hand away from him only moments earlier, and now her green eyes followed Donald's every step. David couldn't decide which

David had expected many things after leaving Sterling Hall, but never to see the ruler of Varethia kneeling at his feet.Seraphina Vael remained before him while armed Verathian soldiers surrounded the road, their heads lowered. Even in that position, her beauty was impossible to ignore. Long white hair fell over her shoulders, while her pale skin and bright white eyes reflected her powerful Astral Essence.Yet Seraphina looked exhausted. Shadows rested beneath her eyes, and the pale light surrounding her body flickered. Whatever had happened in Varethia had shaken the woman many nations called the Astral Goddess.David frowned. “Empress Vael, what are you doing? Get up.”Seraphina raised her face but remained on her knees. “I cannot get up until you hear me, Almighty Primordial Dragon Lord. I crossed into Asterion because you are the only person I can ask for help at this point in time.”“You brought soldiers, helicopters and armored vehicles just to kneel before me?” David glanced a

Seraphina watched General Kael Varen hanging helplessly above the road, and for the first time since arriving in Asterion, she looked truly afraid. The Varethian soldiers around them were just as tense. Their weapons were lowered, but every eye remained fixed on their general as blood ran from his nose and ear.“Please, Primordial Lord,” Seraphina said as she stepped closer. Her voice had lost all royal authority. “Spare him. He acted without my permission, and I will answer for what he has done.”David looked at Kael for a long moment. His golden eyes showed no sympathy. “You cannot answer for another man's choices.”Seraphina swallowed hard. “Then let him answer for those choices while he is still alive. Varethia has already buried enough soldiers.”David slowly opened his hand.The golden force around Kael vanished at once.Kael dropped several feet and crashed onto the road like dead weight. Four soldiers rushed toward him immediately, turning him onto his back while another check

That response amused Tristan even more.“I could insult you all day and there would still be nothing you could do about it.”Then his smile faded.A strange stiffness appeared between his shoulders.Tristan rolled his neck. “What the hell?”One of the staff members frowned. “What's wrong?”Tristan reached behind himself. “My back feels strange.”He straightened, but the stiffness spread downward along his spine. He tried moving his shoulders again.They responded slowly.Tristan's expression changed. “What is this?”David watched him without saying anything.Tristan tried to summon his Emerald Dragon Essence.A faint green glow appeared around his hands.Then vanished.He stared at them.“No.”He tried again.Nothing.The stiffness reached the base of his neck while the supernatural pathways surrounding his spine began shutting down one after another.Tristan's breathing quickened.“Why can't I feel my Dragon?”The staff members who had been laughing earlier became silent.Tristan for